Swedish Racing Bans The Whip

Jockeys in Sweden will no longer be able to use the whip for encouragement when the new racing season begins in that country on Apr. 10. Swedish racing authority Svensk Galopp has published a new rule that will allow jockeys to carry the crop, but only use it “to ward off a dangerous situation.” Recently, jockeys in Sweden have been allowed to hit their horses three times in a race. The whip, however, has not been allowed in jumps racing or for 2-year-old racing.

Helena Gartner, project manager of the Scandinavian Racing Regulations Committee, said, “The use of the whip in Sweden has been discussed for years. The regulations have changed gradually and the foam-padded sticks were introduced some years ago, but now it is time to ban the use of the whip completely. Whip use in horse racing simply does not belong in 2022.”